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Niko Kranjcar happy to stay at Tottenham until the end of the season and hopes his injury woes are behind him as Euro 2012 approaches
The Croatian playmaker was impressive against Cheltenham in the FA Cup win on Saturday and insists the squad deserve to be chasing for the title
8 Jan 2012 23:14:00
By Jay Jaffa
Getty Images
Niko Kranjcar has stated his intention to remain at Tottenham beyond the January transfer window but highlighted the need to play more minutes as he builds towards Euro 2012.
The Croatia international completed his first match in domestic football since September following Tottenham's 3-0 FA Cup third-round win over Cheltenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
But despite the lack of appearances for Tottenham this term, the 27-year-old believes he can work his way back into Harry Redknapp's plans once his fitness improves.
“I know the next couple of months I want to stay here, get in shape and hopefully have a good year and after Euro 2012 I'll see,” Kranjcar told reporters.
“The club have been great to me since I came here.
“I've had a bad season injury wise. I just want to get back fit and get a month or two of training and staying sharp and getting more minutes on the pitch.
“It's frustrating being injured – always. But you're happy for your team-mates and for your team.
“We all have a belief in the dressing room that it's not accidental where we are. We possess the quality to be in the top three and chasing the top spot.”
“We have a really great squad. With the second team we had five or six international players on the pitch which proves the strength of the squad.
“I'm blessed to be in the game and doing the job I love.
“Obviously you want to play football and train everyday with the lads but [injuries] are part of life.”
Asked whether his lack of minutes in a Spurs shirt would hamper his chances of featuring for Croatia at Euro 2012, Kranjcar appeared relaxed.
“If I don't play [for Tottenham] I hope I'll still be in top shape coming up to the tournament, trying to prove myself beforehand,” Kranjcar added.
“That's why I say my focus is getting as sharp and ready as possible so when the Euro's do come and we get into the call ups before the tournament starts, I can prove I deserve a place in the national team.
Kranjcar is accompanied at Tottenham by his Croatian compatriot Luka Modric, the subject of much Summer speculation following approaches from Chelsea. However, the playmaker was insistent that Modric is now content at White Hart Lane.
He said: “Luka has been fantastic, I think you've seen that on the pitch.
“He wouldn't be great on the pitch if he wasn't mentally stable or happy. He's been unbelievable for us.”
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The Croatia international completed his first match in domestic football since September following Tottenham's 3-0 FA Cup third-round win over Cheltenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
But despite the lack of appearances for Tottenham this term, the 27-year-old believes he can work his way back into Harry Redknapp's plans once his fitness improves.
“I know the next couple of months I want to stay here, get in shape and hopefully have a good year and after Euro 2012 I'll see,” Kranjcar told reporters.
“The club have been great to me since I came here.
“I've had a bad season injury wise. I just want to get back fit and get a month or two of training and staying sharp and getting more minutes on the pitch.
“It's frustrating being injured – always. But you're happy for your team-mates and for your team.
“We all have a belief in the dressing room that it's not accidental where we are. We possess the quality to be in the top three and chasing the top spot.”
“We have a really great squad. With the second team we had five or six international players on the pitch which proves the strength of the squad.
“I'm blessed to be in the game and doing the job I love.
“Obviously you want to play football and train everyday with the lads but [injuries] are part of life.”
Asked whether his lack of minutes in a Spurs shirt would hamper his chances of featuring for Croatia at Euro 2012, Kranjcar appeared relaxed.
“If I don't play [for Tottenham] I hope I'll still be in top shape coming up to the tournament, trying to prove myself beforehand,” Kranjcar added.
“That's why I say my focus is getting as sharp and ready as possible so when the Euro's do come and we get into the call ups before the tournament starts, I can prove I deserve a place in the national team.
Kranjcar is accompanied at Tottenham by his Croatian compatriot Luka Modric, the subject of much Summer speculation following approaches from Chelsea. However, the playmaker was insistent that Modric is now content at White Hart Lane.
He said: “Luka has been fantastic, I think you've seen that on the pitch.
“He wouldn't be great on the pitch if he wasn't mentally stable or happy. He's been unbelievable for us.”
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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